Denver N. Ritz

About Denver N. Ritz

Denver promotes the mindset of being unapologetically authentic. Denver has worked within the HR umbrella for 22 years with major focuses in learning and development and organizational effectiveness including performance management, talent planning, succession planning, leadership coaching, talent acquisition, DEIB, and mentoring.He has a Master of Science in Management and Strategic Human Resources from Purdue, a Bachelors in Organizational Development, an Associates of Business Administration and Leadership Studies, a 2012 graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, is a certified facilitator of DDI, the Five Practices/DiSC, the NeuroLeadership Institute, Assessments International, and RightPath, is a graduate of Leadership Austin, and aspires to begin certification to become a Master Certified Coach. Accolades Denver has earned over their career include named a Forty Under 40, Global Corporate Responsibility Award, Iowa Asian Alliance Impact Award, Role Model of the Year, Community Champion Award, Cherokee Rose LGBTQ+ Service Award, ESGR Champion, Character Counts Honoree, and many more. They have held over 25 local, state, and national board, council, and committee leadership appointments pertaining to economic development, leadership, workforce development, youth mentoring, equity/inclusion, and education. Denver is well known for a motivational keynote speech titled, “A Conversation with My Future Self,” that covers their past and lessons learned. Other topics include mental health; diversity, equity, and inclusion; recruitment and retention; mentoring; caching; and identifying key motivators. Basically if you give him a microphone, he will talk. Denver is a Des Moines native now thriving in Austin, MN. Married to partner Forrest Vorwald-Ritz who is locally famous as ‘the Caribou Guy.’ Denver and Forrest have two kids, Zach and Mickey. In their spare time they like to work out, play with Finn (dog), be ignored by Shade (cat), catch up on TV, cook, travel.

Experience

1. Corporate Manager of Talent Development & Organizational Effectiveness

   Hormel Foods

   Apr 2021 — Present · Austin, MN, US

   I oversee a global portfolio spanning the US, Brazil, and China. I drive organizational performance and transformation through strategic leadership in performance management, performance improvement, succession planning, talent assessment/review, and team member engagement.My team leads initiatives that enhance corporate culture, champion DEIB, and foster professional growth through tailored development and succession planning. By implementing robust talent assessment and review processes, mentoring, coaching, and 360 facilitation, I ensure our teams and leaders are equipped to excel. Additionally, I facilitate team interventions that strengthen collaboration and optimize organizational effectiveness.

Education

• Purdue University

  Master of Science, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

  2015 — 2017

• William Penn University

  BA, Business Management

  2010 — 2012

• William Penn University

  AA, Leadership & Organizational Studies

  2007 — 2009

• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

  Graduated, Leadership and Community Involvement.

  2011 — 2012

Skills

• Teamwork
• Program Management
• Human Resources
• Social Networking
• Recruiting
• Budgets
• Policy
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Microsoft Word
• Team Leadership
• Public Relations
• Process Improvement
• Non-Profits
• Marketing Communications
• Leadership Development
• Typing
• Employee Training
• Event Management
• Customer Service
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Outlook
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Editing
• Fundraising
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Workshop Facilitation
• Mathematics
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Nonprofits
• Software Documentation
• Organizational Development
• Coaching